Elegant Values – Style

Welcome to our next Elegant Value – Style! I’m sure when we think of elegant women, we think of the way they dress. But is that something that we as mothers can achieve or even aspire to? Of course! Does that mean we all have to dress the same or spend exorbitant sums on designer and bespoke items? Definitely not! Let’s look at some tips for dressing stylishly, on a budget, that will help us to look more like the elegant ladies we are working on becoming.

Edit Your Wardrobe

The first step to improving our elegant style value is to see what you have. Before you look at me in horror at the thought of having to pull out all those clothes, let me make a suggestion. Do one category at a time. We all have different categories of clothes – jackets, underwear, jeans, dresses etc etc. Start with one and ask yourself some questions:

Does this item fit me well?

Does this item match my colouring? (Unsure of what I mean? Keep reading to find out!)

Is this item in good condition? Are there any holes, missing buttons, worn patches, pilling or stains? Does this item match my lifestyle and how I want to present myself?

If the answer to any of those questions is no, think carefully about keeping that item. They say most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. Do we really want to keep pieces that do not serve us? Can the item be mended or altered to suit? If yes, is it realistic for you to do so or will it languish in a pile for months because you are too busy?

Make a note of things you cull that will need replacing. For example, perhaps you send the majority of your cardigans to the thrift store. Hence, you will need to replace them with something. Start a list of categories you need – you will refine your list to individual pieces later.

Upgrade One Kind of Piece at a Time

Now you have sorted through at least one category of clothes. Of course, it would be nice to just be able to go out and replace all our old clothes that we feel do not serve us. Unfortunately, unless you are very wealthy (if you were, I doubt you would be reading this!), budget constraints usually mean doing it little by little. The next step to improving our elegant style value is to look at that list. You noted down the categories you need replacements for. It’s time to decide what those replacements will be. For example, you decide to upgrade your look by swapping your cardigans for jackets. What kind of jacket? What colour? How many? You might find you can’t answer those questions yet. Keep reading and hopefully you will get closer.

Upgrade Your Foundations

Many of us unfortunately wear the incorrect bra size, in either cup, band or both. But a well fitting bra can make a significant difference to your overall appearance (and comfort!). If you don’t feel comfortable having someone else fit you, ask your partner to help you use a measuring tape to take your own measurements. Take one around the fullest part of the bust and the second right underneath against your ribs. Use the measurements for shopping online or even in store if the brand lists the measurements of their sizing. If you are shopping in person, make sure the band is level all the way around and doesn’t ride up at the back. You should have the hooks in the first loops – when the band inevitably stretches, you can move them along. The cups should be smooth with no spillage.

Having well fitting underwear enables outside garments to fit better. It also gives more waist definition. More importantly, a correctly fitted bra is much more comfortable to wear.

Know Your Style

All of us have different personalities. And here is where I feel I am going to diverge from some of the usual advice for elegant dressing. I believe any woman can be elegant, with whatever style personality she has. I don’t feel we should try to be someone we are not. Not all of us want to (or should) wear pastel colours, monochromatic looks or tiny jewellery. The key is in the combinations and pieces chosen.

There are many different quizzes online that can help determine your style personality – classic, bohemian, edgy etc. I encourage you to do a couple and compare the results. Also, think about your current clothing items. What makes your favourite pieces your favourites? The colour? The cut? Something else? See if you can find a pattern between your favourites items and the results from the quizzes you took.

On the topic of quizzes, another important part of your elegant style is your colour choices. No, I don’t mean you can only wear neutrals or pastels. The best colours for you to wear are those that suit your skin undertone, your eye colour and your hair colour. There are many free personal colour quizzes to do online. You could also see if any colour analysts in your area require models for course trainees to practice.

When you have your style settled and you know your colours, you will find it much easier to shop. You can automatically bypass items that don’t match your style or colouring, without being tempted to buy something that won’t make you look your best.

Shop Less

Sorted at least part of your wardrobe? Check. Got a decent idea of your style personality? Check. Researched your best colours? Check. Now you need to transform the list of items needed to specifics. For example, you let go of your cardigan collection. You need some items to replace those. Your style personality is dramatic but you are a warm colour type. Some options could be a brown leather jacket, some coloured denim jackets and a red blazer. You have items left in your wardrobe that would suit brown, red and pink. So your list could be:

Red single breasted blazer

Brown leather jacket

Warm pink jacket

Now you know exactly what you are looking for. This enables you to spend less money and know you will only buy exactly what suits you and your current pieces of clothing.

Choose Quality Over Quantity

As I said before, I believe any style personality can value elegant style and make it a reality. The difference is in the pieces you choose and how you wear them. Items like ripped denim are not very elegant. Beautiful flowing maxi dresses with a dark denim jacket can still be a relaxed, boho look while looking more classy. Structure and waist definition will also upgrade your look within your style personality.

When you are out shopping, look closely at the items you are considering. Is the fabric good quality or does it feel thin and scratchy? Are the buttons secure? Do they make the garment look cheap? Is the stitching firm and straight or is it crooked and loose? Is the hem well sewn? The garment might suit your colouring and personality but if it is poorly constructed with cheap looking fastenings, it will pull down your whole look, no matter how perfectly groomed you may be.

Fit Quality as Part of an Elegant Style Value

If the piece passes all those questions (or you think you could easily upgrade the buttons/fastenings), try it on. Do the shoulder seams sit on your shoulders? Are the sleeves the right length? Does the hem sit where it is most flattering? Does the waist sit on your natural waistline if it is designed to do so? Is it comfortable to sit and walk in? Overall, do you feel confident wearing it? Do you think it makes you look your best? Does it go with other items in your wardrobe if you need it to? Do you love how it looks and makes you feel? Small things, such as a hem or sleeve that is too long can be easily altered. It is much harder (and sometimes nigh impossible) to correct more fundamental fit troubles.

Asking yourself these questions gives you the option of shopping at consignment stores, thrift stores and bargain racks. You will learn how to find the quality, classy pieces that fit your elegant style values. Best of all, you won’t have to be spending a lot of money in the process. Hunting for that perfect item can be a lot of fun and you will be one step further on improving your elegant style value!

Consider Cost Per Wear

These questions become even more important when considering high wear items. Many of these are accessories, such as shoes and handbags. But some items you will want to last, like a good coat. You may need to pay more for one or two that fit well and well made. But if you wear them all winter for 5 years, the cost per wear can be mere cents. By spending a little more for a coat or other staple item, you could wear it for years. A cheaper one may need replacing 2-3 times, ultimately costing you more. Plus, you create less environmental waste by buying fewer clothes.

Choose Pieces that Suit Your Lifestyle

You might see some beautiful woollen scarves. But if you live in a very warm climate, there is not much point to buying woollen scarves that will never be worn. If you have small children, chiffon and other fragile fabrics might not suit your current time in life. Can you wash the item or is it dry clean only? Dry cleaning adds to the maintenance expense and you may need to clean garments often thanks to sticky fingers and clumsy toddlers. An item may be beautiful but is it practical? If it is not practical, you will probably hardly wear it. The item will be very expensive per wear and the money would have been more profitable spent on something else.

I hope these tips have given you some confidence that you can value elegant style and actually make it a reality. What do you think? What can you start with first?

This is the third article in the Elegant Values series. If you missed the first two, they were cleanliness and self development. Keep an eye for the next one – all about the finishing touches!